Friendship with God

Memory Verse: …  ‘You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. ‘ – John 15:14-15 (NLT).

Text: Genesis 18:16-33

Spiritual Emphasis: Friendship with God is not a privilege just for Abraham; it belongs to all who follow Jesus. If we trust Christ, we are His friends and can know His thoughts more deeply as we read His Words and walk with Him daily.

      Diving into friendship with God

• God befriends us first: Divine grace establishes and complete this friendship. We are declared just through faith alone, but the signs that our faith is real is our devotion to Christ – Ephesians 2:8-9.
• God is a friend who’s real: God shows Himself through the good and bad times and when we pray to Him in faith, He always answer – Psalm 23; Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 18:1-8.
• God is a friend who loves: God is a compassionate God. His love is everlasting, and He gave up His best just for you and me because of His love for us. He wants you and me to show compassion to everyone He gives us opportunity to meet – John 3:16; John 13:34; Matthew 25:35-40.
• God is a friend we can trust: God wants you to always be at peace. He does not want you to worry about anything. This we can do if we put our complete trust in Him for everything that concerns us – Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7; Jermiah 29:11.
• God is a friend forever: The idea of “forever” seems impossible. Jesus’ death wasn’t the end – it was just the beginning of a friendship that will last into eternity! God always has been and always will be – He is forever – Revelation 22:13; John 11:25.

Questions/Activities: How do we maintain our friendship with God?

Conclusion. Jesus calls us His friends. But what does this mean? Kids, it’s helpful to think about what it means to be a servant or slave and to be a friend. A servant only comes when there’s something to do, but a friend is welcome anytime. A servant is told what to do, but a friend is told why. A servant will bring the food to the table, but a friend eats it with you. When Jesus gave this contrast, He wants us to see He desire us – Jesus want us near Him always.

Shalom!

 Self-Study: James 2:23; James 4:4; Exodus 33:11; Isaiah 41:8; John 15:13-15.